However, the day the venue was told the new technology was to go live in late August, it failed to do so - while its existing broadband also went off.

The centre has been without any form of broadband since, leaving staff unable to update its website.

BT has apologised for the loss of service and blamed a system error.

The venue, run by Alan Smith, ordered the superfast broadband in mid July. On August 28, Mr Smith was sent an email telling him that he would begin to receive it that day.

Allenheads in Northumberland

However, when he checked, the new technology was not operational. Furthermore, the centre’s existing broadband also stopped working the same day.

Mr Smith contacted BT and a new order for superfast broadband was placed. However, this was cancelled without explanation, or the technology being put in place.

He made several further orders with these similarly cancelled - and the venue is still without any form of broadband.

Mr Smith says the internet is vital to the running of the venue, with it receiving large files by e-mail of images of art work for potential display in a festival it organises in London, and relating to an observatory it is to build at Allenheads.

He said he and his staff are having to go a friend’s house or a local pub or cafe to access broadband.

The 59-year-old, who lives at the site, said: “They have sold a product they have not been able to deliver. It is the most appalling story of customer service ever.

“As a business, it relies on the internet, most of our work is national and international. We really need to have a broadband connection.”

But a spokeswoman for BT said the company is working to get the web back up and running for the centre.

“We are very sorry for the ongoing loss of broadband service and the inconvenience this is undoubtedly causing,” she said.

“During work to upgrade services at the arts centre a system error caused orders to fail.

“We are working to restore service as quickly as possible and expect this to be resolved in the next day or so.”